Had a good night at anchor in Portland and it was a nice morning as we waited for the tide to turn so we could head east. There was no wind so there was little activity on the water; racing postponed. We were just about ready to leave when the harbourmaster’s RIB pulled by and asked us if we had paid our harbour fees. First time we had been asked in Portland but after paying we had a pleasant chat about the places to anchor in the harbour (we were in an allowed zone) and the efforts to protect the sea grass. Then it was up anchor and we headed off towards Poole. Of course what wind there was came from the east so we motored along changing course slightly every now and then to try to keep the mainsail full. Happily there was no firing on the Lulworth range so we could take a direct course to St Alban’s Head. We took the “inner passage” to avoid the overfalls offshore although it was still pretty bumpy and then around Anvil Point and onwards towards Old Harry and the entrance to Poole Harbour. Anne’s passage plan was perfect and we carried the tide all the way to drop anchor at South Deep in Poole Harbour. Soon had everything tidied away and settled down for the evening.
